A man with a heart of gold, Tom Hanks is well-known for being kind to everyone, including complete strangers. Stories of his warmth and generosity often find their way to the internet.
Over four decades in the industry, innumerable iconic performances, and winning almost every big award there is, yet Tom Hanks continues to hold the unique distinction of being called the nicest guy in Hollywood. From industry folk to the regular public on the street, Tom Hanks leaves a lasting impression on everyone who has the privilege to interact with him. So here are some heartwarming stories from people who've met Tom Hanks and were blown over by his kindness and humility. If you've met him, let us know in the comments. We'd love to know your story!
The highlight of my mother’s life was the one and only Tom Hanks wishing her a happy birthday at his AFI event. She loved him as much as she loved her children and always called him “her Tommy”. My thanks to him for that moment extends beyond her death.
— The Dose of Reality (@TheDoseTweets) November 13, 2019
Once, in 2008, when Tom Hanks was shooting “Angels & Demons” in Rome by the Pantheon, a bride and her father couldn’t approach the chapel because of the hullabaloo, so Hanks stopped filming to escort them to the altar. pic.twitter.com/XcG4vaclIr
— Steve Goldberg (@Steve_Goldberg) November 13, 2019
My one Tom Hanks story. Was out West skiing. Ended up on road connecting 2 areas. Snowing like hell. Had flat tire. Get out, start doing usual. SUV pulls over, guy gets out. Damn near white out now. Both of us freezing. We get it done. At end introduce ourselves. Tom Hanks.
— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) January 6, 2020
I got one. Relatives visiting LA from back east. Took them on tour of celebrity homes. We’re pulled over on Mulholland so ppl could take a pic of the Hollywood sign when someone pulls up, rolls down window and says “Seen any movie stars today?” Tom Hanks.
— Coastal Eddy (@Coastal__Eddy) January 6, 2020
My Tom Hanks story: April 5, 1990 at MSG playoff game between Islanders & Rangers. I'm sitting w/ friends near center ice and the guys behind us start giving everyone boxes of popcorn. I turn around and it was Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz! Just talking to us all about hockey! Cool!
— John Pretino (@JPretino) January 7, 2020
#myonetomhanksstory
— #BlackLivesMatter 💙 (@CathesComicz) January 7, 2020
I was in a restaurant with only one other table if people. .a pair of boys in baseball uniforms, and a guy. The waitress asked why I ate alone..as I often did. "I write songs this way".. I went to pay bill. Already paid." no need to be a starving artist" TH
Met @tomhanks in Berlin. I was just starting out as a journalist, very nervous. Early morning, small interview room. My hands shaking like crazy. He noticed, said nothing, just stood up and said “lets have a cup of tea first”. And we did. And the interview was amazing. Great guy.
— Tonka Mandic (@maraTonka) January 10, 2020
TOM HANKS IS TRULY THE BEST. I'll never forget the time I was working an Anfar event and he drove me in his van up the hill to the house where the event was happening so I didn't have to wak back up in heels. #GoldenGlobes
— Ngunyi Bernice🥰 (@bfonge) January 6, 2020
My Tom Hanks story is my sister’s: she was a little kid on the Saving Private Ryan set and got lost. He found her + tried to lure her back to set by asking if she’d like to go for a run with him, but she said she wouldn’t go with a stranger 🙈. He waited with her so she was safe
— Kayleigh Dray (@KayDee28) January 9, 2020
We took my mom to his AFI award ceremony for her birthday. Too nervous to approach him herself, my sister and I shared her love for him. @tomhanks found my mom at the end of the evening and wished her a happy birthday. She treasured that moment for the rest of her life. ❤️
— The Dose of Reality (@TheDoseTweets) January 6, 2020
He came to Indy once, I worked for the mayor. Read TH loves typewriters so we had a nice welcome note typed on one, left in his hotel room. He gushed to the mayor when they met & sent a thank you written on hotel pad. “One never throws out a typewritten note.” We framed it❤️
— Lindsay Trameri (@lindsaytrameri) January 7, 2020
I interviewed Tom Hanks the day after the NYT broke the Harvey Weinstein story. Other stories about other people were already bubbling. I really needed him to be decent and lovely, and he was, and I appreciated it so much. https://t.co/2eMLRGJdwM
— Linda Holmes Thinks You're Boo-ing Great (@lindaholmes) November 13, 2019
My @tomhanks story: was in audience at taping for Newhart, had to be prior to 1985. He was sitting a couple rows in front of us. Clearly there to support his friend who acted with him in Bosom Buddies, he laughed uproariously at all the jokes, esp. Peter Scolari’s.
— Laura Camp (@LauraCampCA) January 7, 2020
I was in a ski line in Colorado, age 9. My family and I got separated and I couldn’t buckle my boot. Tom leaned down and helped me buckle it. He was wearing a red and black ski coat and his voice was 100% recognizable, familiar, and comforting. #TomHanks https://t.co/olZnNbINnz
— Claire (@clairemauksch) January 6, 2020
My one Tom Hanks story. Worked at the Sherman Oaks Galleria mall in the early 80s. Busy day at the jewlery store where I worked. In strolls Tom Hanks. Bought a necklace for his then girlfriend, Rita (recalling pearls). One of the nicest customers I had the pleasure to serve.
— Kitchen Goddess (@CaliGali21) January 6, 2020
Tom Hanks donated a fancy espresso machine to our office pic.twitter.com/6zfedv6HRY
— LA Review of Books (LARB) (@LAReviewofBooks) January 6, 2020
I took my father to the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena one afternoon, where he strolled around and met Tom Hanks and wife Rita, strolling, too. I watched from a distance. They stopped and chatted with dad for a short while, just like ordinary people. Dad never forgot.
— Rather Notsay, pro lounger (@decemberjazz) November 13, 2019
He is absolutely a good human. A few years ago when our local book store was doing a fundraiser to try to keep the doors open, he passed by and ended up staying for quite some time signing autographs and trying to get people to come in.
— susie (@SusieMolloy) January 6, 2020
A number of years ago I left my iPhone unattended in the same room as Tom Hanks. The next day, I found this photo in my camera roll. To be clear: I’ve never met him. But I do believe he is exactly who we hope he is, and I don’t want to know if I’m wrong. pic.twitter.com/TUrCarxt8N
— whitney pastorek (@whittlz) January 6, 2020
I was shocked to receive this personal reply from Tom when I offered him my deceased father’s typewriter for Tom’s typewriter collection. My dad had “smuggled” it out of Germany when he immigrated to the US as a WWII refugee. I will treasure Tom’s letter forever. pic.twitter.com/UFj6mQsCcs
— Maria Z (@zwackmom) January 7, 2020
Here's a video of him crashing a wedding.
Share on Facebook
